Emissions Recycling Using Solubilizer Equipment

ABSTRACT

An engine is operated to produce exhaust emissions containing carbon nano soot therein which are injected into a solubilizing tank containing nitic acid and carbonic acid in a water solution for solubilizing the carbon nano soot as carbon nano tubes. A gas flow exiting the tank is captured such that some water and some solubilized carbon nano tubes are carried with the gas flow for subsequent delivery to a plant growing medium, either directly or by storing the water and solubilized carbon nano tubes carried with the gas flow in a tank for subsequent application. The solubilizing tank may be supported on agricultural seeding implements or sprayer implements for direct application to crop covered ground. In an irrigation system, the gas flow from the solubilizing tank is directed towards a condensing tank for subsequent application of the condensate to a plant growing medium with irrigation water.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to recycling equipment that solubilizesemissions into water whereby internal combustion emissions duringcombustion which produce ultra-fine to nano-meter size particulatematter are solubilized in water for subsequent delivery to plant growingmedium. More particularly the equipment relates to the production ofwater soluble carbon nanotubes.

BACKGROUND

Internal combustion emissions, particularly diesel, can produce largeamounts of diesel particulate matter (soot) that cause smog and poor airquality. Agriculture has the potential to use and sequester emissions asplant nutrients and soil amendments that would otherwise be airpollution. Resent diesel engine design tier 5 emissions controls havelowered the particulate matter and NO_(x) by adding Urea or fertilizerto the exhaust. Solubilizing emissions into water and recyclingemissions back to make fertilizer, instead of adding more fertilizer toexhaust wasting energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is providedemissions solubilizing equipment for recycling emissions into plantnutrients and soil amendments improving plant growth characteristics fora plant growing medium, the equipment comprising:

providing an internal combustion engine arranged to combust a fueltherein;

operating the internal combustion engine to combust the fuel mixture inpyrolysis to produce exhaust emissions; and arranging emissionsrecycling equipment to take advantage of the heat of combustion toproduce chemistry that aide in the solubilisation of the emissions.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided anexhaust recycling system comprising:

an internal combustion engine including engine controls for operatingthe engine so as to produce exhaust emissions containing carbon nanosoot therein;

a solubilizing tank containing an operating level of water includingnitric acid in solution in the water;

an exhaust duct for connection between the engine and the solubilizingtank, for communicating the exhaust emissions containing carbon nanosoot from the engine to the solubilizing tank;

an injection array supported in the tank below the operating level ofthe water, the injection array being in communication with the exhaustduct so as to be arranged to inject the exhaust emissions into the waterwithin the solubilizing tank so as to solubilize the carbon nano soot ascarbon nano tubes within the water in the solubilizing tank; and

a gas outlet on the solubilizing tank for receiving a gas flow exitingthe tank such that some water and some solubilized carbon nano tubes arecarried with the gas flow for subsequent delivery to a plant growingmedium.

Preferably the engine controls are arranged to operate the engine inpyrolysis to produce the carbon nano soot.

According to other important independent aspects of the invention, i)the water in the solubilizing tank may contain the nitric acid atsaturation level therein, ii) the water in the solubilizing tank maycontain carbonic acid at saturation level therein, iii) the water in thesolubilizing tank may contain fulvic acid therein, iv) the water in thesolubilizing tank may contain aromatic compounds therein, or v) thewater may contain any combination of the above compounds therein.

Preferably the water in the solubilizing further includes carbonic acidin solution therein.

In the present invention, operating the engine in pyrolysis can assistin producing multi-wall carbon nanotubes. The multi wall carbonnanotubes (MWCT) can be processed in the method with nitric acid tobecome soluble in water. The condensation of the emissions that containnitric acid, carbonic acid and aromatic compounds replenish water levelsin the solubilizing tank and will aid in solubilizing the soot and Nanocarbon tubes into water allowing the system to work with sprayers,irrigation water, treatment ponds and waste management, methaneproduction, composters, air Seeders and alga growth for bio fuelproduction. Solubilized carbon nanotubes stay suspended in solution tofacilitate root up take.

The carbon nanotube seeding material may comprise a mineral, a magneticmetal, a transitional metal, an alloy, or other related compounds aloneor in combination.

Preferably a conditioning system is arranged to receive and conditionthe exhaust emissions therein to produce carbon nanotubes.

Preferably low oxygen levels are maintained in the exhaust emissions soas to minimize oxidisation in the conditioning system and so as tominimize production of NO₂ in the conditioning system.

Preferably a heat exchanger is provided in series with the exhaust ductfor cooling the exhaust emissions prior to injecting the exhaustemissions into the solubilizing tank. A controller may operate the heatexchanger to vary a rate of cooling responsive to a sensed temperatureof the exhaust emissions.

Preferably a cooling circuit communicates in a closed loop between thesolubilizing tank and a cooling device for cooling the water in thesolubilizing tank. A controller may operate the cooling circuit to varya rate of cooling responsive to a sensed temperature of the water.

The solubilizing tank may include an exhaust inlet pipe on thesolubilizing tank for communicating exhaust emissions from the exhaustduct into the solubilizing tank and a spray nozzle in the exhaust inletpipe which communicates with the solubilizing tank for spraying waterfrom the solubilizing tank into a flow of exhaust emissions entering thesolubilizing tank through the exhaust inlet pipe.

In some embodiments, a branch duct may communicate between the exhaustduct and a combustion air intake of the engine such that a primary flowof the exhaust emissions is directed by the exhaust duct into thesolubilizing tank and a secondary flow of the exhaust emissions isdirected by the branch duct into the combustion air intake.

In some embodiments, an auxiliary water tank and a water control systemmay be provided which are arranged to transfer water between theauxiliary water tank and the solubilizing tank to maintain the water inthe solubilizing tank at the operating level, for either removing excesswater above an upper limit of the solubilizing tank, adding water belowa lower limit of the solubilizing tank, or both.

The injection array may comprise a manifold structure supported in thesolubilizing tank below the operating water level in which the manifoldstructure has a horizontally extending upper duct portion forcommunicating exhaust emissions therethrough along a bottom end of thesolubilizing tank and a plurality of injection openings at horizontallyspaced apart positions along the manifold structure below the upper ductportion for dispersing exhaust emissions into the solubilizing tank.

The solubilizing tank may further include a partition member separatingthe tank into an injection portion receiving the injection array thereinand a settling portion separate from the injection portion whichcommunicates with the gas outlet, the partition member including atleast one opening therein for communicating water and exhaust emissionsfrom the injection portion to the settling portion.

In one embodiment, the system is used with an agricultural seedingimplement having a distribution fan for pneumatically conveying seedthrough seed tubes for delivery into furrows in a ground surface inwhich the distribution fan has an inlet in communication with the gasoutlet on the solubilizing tank for directing said gas flow into theseed tubes. In this instance, a water separator, for example a bafflearrangement or a water trap, may be provided in series with the gasoutlet for removing liquid water from said gas flow prior to delivery tothe distribution fan.

In an alternative embodiment, the engine comprises a primary engine of atractor and the system further comprises an agricultural seedingimplement towed by the tractor in which the agricultural implementcomprises: i) a plurality of furrowing elements for forming furrows inthe ground; ii) a plurality of seed distribution tubes for deliveringseed to the furrowing elements respectively; iii) a seed metering systemfor metering seed into the seed distribution tubes respectively; and iv)a supply duct communicating between the gas outlet on the solubilizingtank and the seed distribution tubes such that a gas pressure forconveying seed through the seed distribution tubes to the furrowingelements is derived solely from exhaust pressure from the internalcombustion engine which is communicated through the solubilizing tank.In this instance, a pressure relief valve is preferably in communicationwith the gas outlet on the solubilizing tank for venting the gas flowexternally responsive to pressure of the gas flow exceeding an upperlimit of the pressure relief valve.

In an embodiment, the system is used with an agricultural sprayingimplement for being driven across a crop covered ground by said internalcombustion engine in which the agricultural spraying implement includesi) a boom supporting a plurality of spaced apart dispensing nozzlesthereon and ii) a supply duct communicating between the gas outlet ofthe solubilizing tank and the dispensing nozzles for dispensing said gasflow carrying the water and the solubilized carbon nano tubes onto saidcrop covered ground through the dispensing nozzles. The sprayingimplement in this instance preferably further comprises i) a liquid tanksupported on the implement and ii) a plurality of liquid nozzles spacedapart on the boom for delivery of liquid from the liquid tank onto thecrop covered ground through the liquid nozzles independently of the gasflow dispensed through the dispensing nozzles.

In one configuration of the agricultural spraying implement, the gasoutlet is connected to the dispensing nozzles such that said gas flowcarrying the water and the solubilized carbon nano tubes is dispensedsuch that a gas pressure for dispensing said gas flow from thedispensing nozzles is derived solely from exhaust pressure from theinternal combustion engine which is communicated through thesolubilizing tank. In this instance, a pressure relief valve ispreferably in communication with the gas outlet on the solubilizing tankfor venting the gas flow externally responsive to pressure of the gasflow exceeding an upper limit of the pressure relief valve.

Alternatively, the agricultural spraying implement may be operated witha distribution fan in communication between the gas outlet of thesolubilizing tank and the dispensing nozzles.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the engineof the system may comprise a primary engine of a passenger vehicle, forexample a pick-up truck. In this instance the system may further includean auxiliary tank containing an operating level of water therein and anauxiliary injection array supported in the auxiliary tank below theoperating level of the auxiliary tank in which the auxiliary injectionarray is in communication with the gas outlet of the solubilizing tankso as to be arranged to disperse the gas flow from the gas outlet intothe water with the auxiliary tank.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the engine ofthe system comprises a pump engine of an irrigation pump in anirrigation system in which the gas outlet of the solubilizing tankcommunicates with irrigation water of the irrigation system for deliveryto the plant growing medium together with the irrigation water.

The gas outlet preferably communicates with the irrigation water byproviding an auxiliary tank containing an operating level of watertherein and an auxiliary injection array supported in the auxiliary tankbelow the operating level of the auxiliary tank in which the auxiliaryinjection array is in communication with the gas outlet of thesolubilizing tank so as to be arranged to disperse the gas flow from thegas outlet into the water with the auxiliary tank. The secondary tankmay then have a water outlet in communication with the irrigation waterso as to deliver the water from the auxiliary tank to the plant growingmedium together with the irrigation water.

The irrigation system may further include a cooling circuitcommunicating between the irrigation water and the exhaust duct forcooling the exhaust emissions prior to injection into the water in thesolubilizing tank, and a similar cooling circuit communicating betweenthe irrigation water and the solubilizing tank for cooling the water inthe solubilizing tank.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of recycling exhaust emissions comprising:

providing an internal combustion engine and operating the engine so asto produce exhaust emissions containing carbon nano soot therein;

providing a solubilizing tank containing an operating level of waterincluding nitric acid in solution in the water;

injecting the exhaust emissions containing carbon nano soot from theengine into the water within the solubilizing tank so as to solubilizethe carbon nano soot as carbon nano tubes within the water in thesolubilizing tank; and

capturing a gas flow exiting the tank such that some water and somesolubilized carbon nano tubes are carried with the gas flow forsubsequent delivery to a plant growing medium.

Preferably the engine is operated in pyrolysis to produce the carbonnano soot.

Preferably the exhaust emissions are cooled prior to injecting theexhaust emissions into the solubilizing tank responsive to a sensedtemperature of the exhaust emissions.

Cooling fluid may be circulated in a closed loop cooling circuit betweenthe solubilizing tank and a cooling device for cooling the water in thesolubilizing tank responsive to a sensed temperature of the water.

The method may also include spraying water from the solubilizing tankinto a flow of exhaust emissions entering the solubilizing tank.

In some instance, a primary flow of the exhaust emissions from theengine may be directed into the solubilizing tank while a secondary flowof the exhaust emissions from the engine may be recycled back into thecombustion air intake.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda method of recycling exhaust emissions comprising:

providing an internal combustion engine for combusting a fuel to produceexhaust emissions;

directing a primary flow of the exhaust emissions from the internalcombustion engine for application to a plant growing medium; and

directing a secondary flow of the exhaust emissions from the internalcombustion engine for introduction into a combustion air intake of theinternal combustion engine.

Water may be injected to produce steam in the secondary flow.

Preferably the primary flow is greater than the secondary flow.

The system may further include i) a main exhaust duct for exhaustingemissions from the engine; ii) a primary branch duct receiving theprimary flow from the main exhaust duct; and iii) a secondary branchduct receiving the secondary flow from the main exhaust duct at ajunction with the primary branch duct such that the secondary branchduct is in heat exchanging relationship with the main exhaust duct.

The secondary branch duct may be in a counter-flow heat exchangingrelationship along a full length of the main exhaust duct between saidjunction and the engine.

The method may include cooling the primary flow of exhaust emissions ina heat exchanger subsequent to separation of the secondary flow ofexhaust emissions from the primary flow of exhaust emissions.

The method may also include providing a sacrificial oxidizible metallicelement within the secondary flow of exhaust emissions.

According to another important independent aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided an agricultural seeding implement for usewith a tractor having an internal combustion engine, the implementcomprising:

a plurality of furrowing elements for forming furrows in the ground;

a plurality of seed distribution tubes for delivering seed to thefurrowing elements respectively;

a seed metering system for metering seed into the seed distributiontubes respectively; and

a supply duct for communicating exhaust emissions from the internalcombustion engine to the seed distribution tubes such that a gaspressure for conveying seed through the seed distribution tubes to thefurrowing elements is derived solely from exhaust pressure from theinternal combustion engine which is communicated through the supplyduct.

The seed metering system may further comprise at least one venturi tubereceiving a flow of the exhaust emissions therethrough to accelerate theflow for carrying the seed in the accelerated flow.

The system may further comprise a pressure relief valve in communicationwith the gas outlet on the solubilizing tank for venting the gas flowexternally responsive to pressure of the gas flow exceeding an upperlimit of the pressure relief valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exhaust emission recycling systemincluding a solubilizing tank for solubilizing exhaust emissions from anengine for subsequent use in improving plant growth characteristics of aplant growing medium;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a heat exchanger of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the solubilizing tank;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the manifold structure forming theexhaust injection array at the bottom of the tank;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the tank;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view along the line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the system of FIG. 1 shown applied to afirst embodiment of an agricultural seeding implement;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the system of FIG. 1 shown applied to asecond embodiment of an agricultural seeding implement;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the system of FIG. 1 shown applied to anagricultural spraying implement;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the system of FIG. 1 shown applied to apassenger vehicle for storing nutrients to be subsequently applied to aplant growing medium;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the system of FIG. 1 shown applied to anirrigation system; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the system of FIG. 1 shown applied to alawn mower implement.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated an exhaustemissions recycling and irrigation system including emissions reductionsolubilizer equipment, generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Therecycling system is suited for producing solubilised carbon and fulvicacid for improving plant growth characteristics of a plant growingmedium, for example agricultural soil.

According to one aspect, the invention may include adding a carbonnanotube seeding material to the fuel of an international combustionengine to produce a fuel mixture which is combusted by the engine inpyrolysis to produce black carbon ultrafine and nano soot in the exhaustemissions which are captured for conditioning such that the nano carbonsoot is processed into carbon nanotubes for subsequent delivery to theplant growing medium. The exhaust emissions are passed through asolution of water which condenses exhaust emissions and solubilizescompounds in the emissions such that the solution of water reaches aconcentration level which contains carbonic and nitric acid which is ator near respective saturation levels. The water also contains fulvicacid and various aromatic compounds therein. The solution of watersaturated with nitric acid, carbonic acid, fulvic acid and aromaticcompounds is then capable of solubilising the carbon nano soot intocarbon nano tubes from further emissions passed through the solution ofwater. The solubilised carbon nano tubes are carried out of the watersolution with an exiting gas flow that carries some water with it. Thewater carried away from the solution with the exiting gas flow isproportional to the condensed water vapor from new exhaust emissionscondensed into the solution for maintaining an operating level ofsolution.

Although various embodiments of the invention are shown in theaccompanying figures, the common features of the system according togeneric FIGS. 1 through 8 will first be described.

The system 10 generally includes an internal combustion engine 18 havinga combustion air intake 20 to receive combustion air for mixture withfuel within the engine where combustion takes place to produce exhaustat an exhaust outlet 22 of the motor. The exhaust outlet may be anexhaust manifold of the motor, or in the instance of a motor including aturbo, the outlet of the turbo.

The system 10 further includes a solubilizing tank 24 which contains anoperating level of water therein. The water in the tank includes nitricacid and carbonic acid therein. The exhaust of the motor is directedinto the solubilizing tank 24 where the exhaust emissions are bubbledthrough the water in the tank to solubilize carbon soot in the form ofcarbon nano tubes within the water as further described below.

The exhaust emissions are directed from the outlet 22 of the motorthrough a main duct 28 up to a vertical inlet pipe 30 which forms theinlet of the solubilizing tank. The bottom end of the inlet pipe islocated within the tank 24 in proximity to the bottom end thereof.

The vertical inlet pipe 30 defines a primary duct receiving the majorityof the exhaust emissions from the main duct therein. A secondary duct 32is also provided which communicates from the junction of the primaryduct 30 to the end of the main duct 28. The secondary duct 32 is muchsmaller in cross section than the primary duct to receive a smallersecondary flow of exhaust emissions therein. The secondary duct 32 isconcentrically received within the main duct to extend in a counter-flowheat-exchanging arrangement with the main duct from the junction of themain duct to the primary and secondary ducts back to the opposing end ofthe main duct in proximity to the outlet 22 from the motor. Thesecondary duct and the main duct are thus in a heat exchangingrelationship along substantially the full length of the main ductbetween the motor and the junction with the primary and secondary ducts.

The primary duct 30 further includes a heat exchanger 34 connected inseries therewith as illustrated in further detail in FIG. 2.

The heat exchanger 34 generally comprises an elongate coolant chamberhaving two longitudinally opposed end walls 36 and a cylindrical sidewall 38 connected between the two end walls to define a tank structurereceiving a coolant fluid therein. A plurality of exhaust pipes 40communicate between the two end walls in parallel and spaced apartrelationship such that the exhaust pipes 40 collectively define aportion of the primary duct communicating in series between the mainduct 28 thereabove and the remainder of the primary duct in the form ofa vertical inlet pipe 30 extending therebelow. Water is circulated as acoolant fluid through the coolant chamber using a respective pump forpumping water into an inlet 44 of the coolant chamber for subsequentdischarge through the outlet 46 of the coolant chamber. In typicalembodiments, the fluid is circulated in a closed loop cooling circuit bya pump 42 between the heat exchanger 34 and a cooling device 47.

The cooling device 47 may be a heat exchanger which uses an auxiliarysource of water for cooling such as irrigation water. Alternatively, thecooling device 47 may be a radiator having fins which are air cooled forcooling the circulated cooling water. In yet a further arrangement, thecooling device may be a refrigeration device.

The heat exchanger 34 further include an orifice 48 formed in theuppermost end wall 36 for communicating a small portion of water fromthe coolant chamber into the inlet end of the secondary duct 32 which islocated within the main duct 28 in proximity to the junction of the mainduct to the heat exchanger and vertical pipe forming the primary ducttherebelow.

In this manner the suction of the engine at the air intake connected tothe outlet end of the secondary duct 32 draws suction through thesecondary duct such that the inlet end of the secondary duct receives asmall portion of exhaust emissions from the surrounding main ducttogether with the small amount of sprayed coolant water within the heatexchanger 34 as received through the orifice. The water injected withthe secondary flow of exhaust into the secondary duct 32 is maintainedat a high heat through the heat exchanging relationship with the mainduct of the exhaust emissions to produce steam.

A sacrificial oxidizable metallic member 50 may be inserted into thesecondary duct for chemical reaction with the steam and hot exhaustgasses recycled through the secondary duct prior to the emissions beingrecycled back into the intake of the motor. In this manner, theresultant gasses fed into the intake motor serve to acidify the exhaustemissions with nitric acid.

Turning now more particularly to the tank 24, the tank includes acentral settling chamber 60 surrounded by partition walls 62 on allsides to define a surrounding peripheral injection chamber 64. Theperipheral chamber is bound by outer tank walls of the tank. Theperipheral injection chamber 64 is a rectangular, annular shape aboutthe square center chamber 60. In some embodiments, the partition walls62 are much greater in height than the surrounding outer tank walls suchthat the settling chamber 60 is much greater in height than theperipheral injection chamber 64.

The vertical inlet pipe 30 is received within the peripheral chamber 64at a first end 66 of the tank. The bottom end of the vertical inlet pipeis connected to an injection array in the form of a manifold pipe 69having a generally U-shaped arrangement extending along the first end ofthe peripheral chamber and along two opposing sides of the peripheralchamber which extends towards the opposing second end 68. The manifoldpipe 69 has a top panel which is horizontal along the full U-shapedlength of the manifold pipe, together with side panels 72 dependingdownwardly from opposing side edges of the top panel along the fulllength thereof.

A plurality of discharge openings 74 are provided at spaced apartpositions along each of the side panels along the two side legs of themanifold pipe along opposing sides of the tank between the first andsecond ends thereof. Each discharge opening 74 is spaced below the toppanel 70 such that an upper portion of the manifold pipe serves to trapa portion of exhaust gasses therein for communicating exhaust gassesalong the length of the manifold pipe for even distribution throughoutthe perimeter of the peripheral chamber 64.

Each discharge opening 74 is covered by a screen member to encouragedispersion of the exhaust gasses into smaller bubbles and pockets withinthe surrounding irrigation water. An operating water level in the tankis maintained nearer to the top end of the peripheral injection portionof the tank than the bottom such that the manifold pipe is submergedwell below the operating level.

An additional screen 76 spans horizontally across the full width andlength of each portion of the peripheral chamber 64 at an intermediateheight above the manifold pipe, but below the operating level of waterto further disburse exhaust gasses passing through the irrigation waterwithin the tank.

Typically, all water injected into the irrigation tank is injectedthrough an inlet nozzle 78. The inlet nozzle 78 is situated in thevertical intake pipe at a location spaced below the heat exchanger 34but spaced above the manifold pipe. The water sprayed into the exhaustis carried with the exhaust flow to the bottom of the vertical inletpipe which in turn communicates throughout the manifold pipe to bedistributed about the perimeter of the tank within the peripheralchamber 64. Water is supplied to the inlet nozzle 78 through an outletline 77 which draws water from the settling chamber portion of thesolubilizing tank in a closed loop using a circulating pump 79. Theoutlet line 77 may also pass through the cooling device 47 for coolingprior to injection back into the inlet pipe 30.

Two fluid flow ports 80 are formed in the partition wall 62 between thecentral settling chamber 60 and the peripheral injection chamber 64which is located at the second end 68 of the tank farthest from thevertical inlet pipe. The flow ports are located in proximity to thebottom end of the tank below the operating level of fluid within thetank such that the fluid level in the central chamber 60 issubstantially maintained at the same level as the peripheral chamber.

Additional gas flow ports communicate through the partition wall 62 nearthe top of the peripheral injection chamber to balance gas pressurebetween the central settling chamber 60 and the peripheral injectionchamber 64.

To assist in controlling water level within the solubilizing tanksubstantially at the operating level, a water supply tank 81 may beprovided. In this instance, a supply valve 82 is mounted in series witha supply line from the supply tank 81 to the solubilizing tank. Moreparticularly a float 84 is provided within the settling chamber 60 wherethe water is much less turbulent than in the peripheral chamber 64. Thefloat is connected to the supply valve such that the supply valve isonly opened when the fluid level in the central chamber falls below anupper limit of the operating level as prescribed by the float control84.

In some instances, the outline line 77 which feeds the nozzle 78 maydraw water from the water supply tank 81 which in turn draws water fromthe settling chamber of the tank. An outlet valve 88 can be provided incommunication with the water within the central settling chamber of thesolubilizing tank 24 which communicates with the outlet line to returnwater back to the supply tank 81. A level control float 90 isoperatively connected to the outlet valve 88 such that the outlet valvemay only be opened to allow removal of the water to the tank when thefloat control 90 determines that the fluid level within the tank isabove a prescribed lower limit of the operating level. In this manner,the fluid is always maintained between upper and lower limits asprescribed by the float controls 84 and 90.

The tank 24 is supported on a pallet base for ease of portability asshown in FIG. 3.

Top ends of the settling chamber and the peripheral injection chamber ofthe solubilizing tank 24 are sealed and enclosed by a respective topwall portions 92 for capturing the exhaust emissions at subsequent tothe omissions being injected into the operating level of water theirbelow. A gas outlet 94 communicates through the top end of the settlingchamber 60 at a height which is spaced well above the height of theperipheral injection chamber 64 which locates the operating level ofwater therein. Accordingly there is considerable opportunity forcondensed water carried by the gas flow to settle out back into thesettling chamber rather than be carried out the gas outlet with theexisting gas flow. To further encourage condensed water droplets toremain within the settling chamber 60, a baffle hood 96 may be providedwithin the chamber 60 at the inner side of the gas outlet 94 in which aplurality of baffles are provided in an overlapping arrangement relativeto one another such that the gas flow must navigate a sinuous paththrough the baffles to exit the solubilizing tank.

In instances where the solubilizing tank is operated under pressureabove atmospheric pressure, a pressure relief valve 97 communicatesthrough the top wall portion of the settling chamber of the solubilizingtank. The pressure relief valve is arranged to vent excess gas pressureexternally of the solubilizing tank when pressure exceeds an upperpressure limit of the valve. The pressure relief valve 97 may comprise atwo-way valve which is also capable of letting air into the settlingchamber of the solubilizing tank if the gas pressure within the tankdrops considerably below a lower pressure limit, for example belowatmospheric pressure.

A supply duct communicating to various types of delivery equipment fromthe gas outlet 94 may further be provided with a water trap 98 in someinstances to provide an additional means of removing condensed waterfrom the gas flow. The system is operated such that the gas flow exitingthe solubilizing or is substantially fully saturated so as to be at ornear 100% humidity. The water vapour carried by the gas flow is able toalso carry solubilized carbon nanotubes with the gas flow.

Typical operation involves filling the solubilizing tank to theoperating level with water followed by operation of the engine inparalysis in which carbon nanotubes seating material has been added tothe fuel of the engine to produce carbon nano so it in the exhaustemissions. The exhaust emissions also include nitric acid, carbonicacid, and other chemical components which go into solution in the waterwithin the solubilizing tank. As the concentrations of these chemicalcomponents within the water and the solubilizing tank increases, thesolubilizing tank becomes effective at solubilizing the carbon nano sothat as carbon nanotubes which can then be carried with the water vapourexiting the tank 24 together with the exiting gas flow through the gasoutlet 94 to various auxiliary equipment. The exiting gas flow may bedirected to equipment which directly applies the gas flow to a cropcovered ground or other plant growing medium for example, oralternatively the gas flow may be directed to a secondary tank of waterso that the solubilized carbon nanotubes and other beneficial componentsin the exiting gas flow can be put into solution and stored in solutionfor subsequent application to a plant growing medium.

Various examples relating to the application of the system 10 describedabove will now be described in the following with reference to FIGS. 9through 13.

As shown in FIG. 9, the system 10 is shown applied to an agriculturalseeding implement 100 having a frame which is towed in a forward workingdirection by a tractor 102 in which the engine 18 of the systemcomprises the main driving engine of the tractor. The frame of theseeding implement includes a plurality of furrowing elements 104 whichform furrows in the ground in operation. The distribution fan 106cooperates with a seed metering system for delivering seed carried in agas flow through a series of seed distribution tubes 108 which deliverthe seed to the plurality of furrowing elements respectively. The system10 in this instance is supported on the frame of either the tractor orthe seeding implement for operation between the exhaust emitted from theengine 18 of the tractor and the intake of the distribution fan which isconnected by a supply duct to the gas outlet of the solubilizing tank24. Use of a water trap 98 and/or the baffle arrangement 96 is desiredon a seeding implement to remove condensed water vapour which mightotherwise plug the seed delivery tubes. When using a distribution fan106 of the seeding implement, the solubilizing tank 24 is typically notrequired to operate with any considerable pressure, however a pressurerelief 97 remains desirable in case the seed tubes become plugged toprevent excess backflow pressure on the engine.

As shown in FIG. 10, the system 10 in this instance is applied to anagricultural seeding implement 200 having a frame which is towed in aforward working direction by a tractor 202 in which the engine 18 of thesystem comprises the main driving engine of the tractor. The frame ofthe seeding implement again includes a plurality of furrowing elements104 which form furrows in the ground in operation. The gas outlet of thesolubilizing tank 24 in this instance is fed to a seed metering system206 which incorporates one or more venturi nozzles 208 therein foraccelerating the gas flow from the gas outlet of the system at alocation where seed is dispensed controllably into the accelerated gasflow for subsequently carrying the seed into a plurality of seeddistribution tubes 210. The distribution tubes deliver the seed carriedby the gas flow to the furrowing elements respectively. In this instancethe gas pressure exiting the gas outlet of the solubilizing tank 24provides the sole driving force for the pneumatic flow through the seeddistribution tubes carrying the seed to respective ones of the furrowingelements of the seeding implement. In this instance, the solubilizingtank 24 is operated under pressure from the incoming exhaust gaspressure and the gas pressure is contained by sealing the enclosure ofthe tank 24 between the inlet pipe 30 and the gas outlet 94 thereof. Thepressure relief valve 97 is desirable in this instance to ensure anyblockage of the distribution tubes does not result in excess pressurewithin the tank and excess pressure on the exhaust of the engine.

Turning now to FIG. 11, the system 10 in this instance is applied to anagricultural spraying implement 300 in which the engine 18 comprises themain driving engine supported on the frame of the implement 300 fordriving the implement forwardly across the ground. The frame of theimplement 300 supports a liquid storage tank 302 thereon connected to amanifold which in turn connects to a plurality of liquid nozzles 304supported at spaced apart positions along respective booms 306 of theimplement 300 in the usual manner of a spraying implement. The implement300 is distinguished by supporting the system 10 on the frame of theimplement together with a supply duct connected from the gas outlet ofthe system 10 to a second manifold supported along the length of thebooms 306 for connection to respective dispensing nozzles 308. In thisinstance, the exhaust pressure from the engine provides the sole drivingpressure for distributing the gas flow exiting the gas outlet of thesystem 10 through the manifold to the respective nozzles 308. A pressurerelief valve 97 is accordingly desirable to ensure any blockages orexcess pressure does not place undesirable excess pressure at theexhaust of the engine 18. The solubilizing tank 24 in this instance maybe distinguished by being lower in profile without in the upper portionof the settling chamber 60 being required for baffles 96 as anycondensed water carried by the gas flow to the dispensing system is notharmful. Similarly, a water trap 98 is not required.

Turning now to FIG. 12, the system in this instance may be applied to apassenger vehicle 400, for example a pickup truck having a truck boxwhich can receive the solubilizing tank 24 therein. The engine 18 of thesystem in this instance comprises the primary driving engine of thevehicle. The truck box also supports a storage tank 402 thereinproviding the function of a scrubber tank which is substantiallyidentical in configuration to the solubilizing tank 24 with regard tothe configuration of the inlet pipe, the injection array in theperipheral injection chamber, the central settling chamber, and the gasoutlet thereof. The storage tank 402 is not required to be operatedunder pressure and is typically simply vented to atmosphere as anybeneficial compounds found in the exhaust stream exiting the gas outletof the solubilizing tank 24 are intended to be scrubbed in the operatinglevel of water in the storage tank 402 to remain in solution within thestorage tank 402. The condensate within the storage tank 402 can then beused subsequently for application to crops or other plant growingmediums for example.

Turning now to FIG. 13, the system 10 in this instance is shown appliedto an irrigation system comprising an irrigation pump 500 which isdriven by the motor 18 for pumping water from a water source 502 to aplant growing medium 504 to be irrigated. The gas outlet of thesolubilizing tank 24 in this instance communicates to the inlet pipe 30of a scrubber tank 506. The scrubber tank 506 is substantially identicalto the solubilizing tank 24 with regard to the inlet pipe 30, theinjection array within the peripheral injection chamber 64, the centralsettling chamber 60, and the injection nozzle 78 for spring water intothe inlet pipe 30. Water is added to the tank 506 using a branch line508 communicating to the outlet side of the irrigation pump 500 tosupply freshly pumped irrigation water directly to the nozzle 78. Thebranch line 508 also provides water to the inlet valve 82 of thesolubilizing tank 24 in place of the water supply tank 81 according toFIG. 1. The branch line 508 can also supply water used as the coolingfluid within the heat exchanger 34 of the solubilizing tank 24 with thereturn flow being subsequently directed to the plant growing medium 504.The outlet valve 88 of the solubilizing tank 24 in this instance returnswater in a closed loop directly to the nozzle 78, however the fluid maybe cooled at cooling device 47 which uses irrigation water for coolingor other means as may be desired. In the scrubber tank 506 and the inletvalve 82 with a float control 84 allows water to be sprayed into theinlet pipe through the nozzle 78 provided that the water level withinthe tank stays below an upper limit determined by the float 84. Theoutlet line of the scrubber tank 506 including the outlet valve 88controlled by the float 90 thereof communicates from the settlingchamber of the scrubber tank 506 to the intake side of the irrigationpump 500 such that the solution within the scrubber tank 506 iscontinuously drawn by low pressure suction into the intake side of theirrigation pump provided that the level within the tank is above aprescribed lower limit as determined by the float 90. The systemaccording to FIG. 13 functions similar to the embodiment of FIG. 12 inthat the solubilizing tank 24 functions as described above with regardto FIG. 1 to solubilize carbon nanotubes to be carried with water vapourexiting the gas outlet, followed by the exiting gas flow being directedinto the water within the scrubber tank 506 to substantially remain insolution within the scrubber tank for subsequent application of thesolution within the scrubber tank to a plant growing medium. In theinstance of FIG. 13, the solution is applied to a crop or other plantgrowing medium with irrigation water.

Turning now to FIG. 14, the system 10 in this instance is shownsupported on a lawn mower 600. The lawn mower includes a deck framesupported on wheels for rolling movement in a forward working direction.A mower blade is rotatably supported below the mower deck frame forcutting grass. The blade is driven to rotate by the engine 18 of thesystem which comprises the main mower engine of the lawn mower in thisinstance. An exhaust trap 604 is provided in the form of a flexiblesheet supported to lay flat against the ground, extending rearward fromthe mower deck frame so as to be in a trailing relationship with themower deck frame as the mower is operated in the forward workingdirection. A supply duct 606 communicates from the gas outlet 94 of thesolubilizing tank 24 to a plurality of distribution nozzles on amanifold supported between the leading edge of the exhaust trap so as todirect the gas flow exiting the solubilizing tank onto the groundbeneath the exhaust trap 604.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein abovedescribed, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanyingspecification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in alimiting sense.

1. An exhaust recycling system comprising: an internal combustion engine including engine controls for operating the engine so as to produce exhaust emissions containing carbon nano soot therein; a solubilizing tank containing an operating level of water including nitric acid in solution in the water; an exhaust duct for connection between the engine and the solubilizing tank for communicating the exhaust emissions containing carbon nano soot from the engine to the solubilizing tank; an injection array supported in the tank below the operating level of the water, the injection array being in communication with the exhaust duct so as to be arranged to inject the exhaust emissions into the water within the solubilizing tank so as to solubilize the carbon nano soot as carbon nano tubes within the water in the solubilizing tank; and a gas outlet on the solubilizing tank for receiving a gas flow exiting the tank such that some water and some solubilized carbon nano tubes are carried with the gas flow for subsequent delivery to a plant growing medium.
 2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the engine controls are arranged to operate the engine in pyrolysis to produce the carbon nano soot, and wherein the water in the solubilizing tank contains the nitric acid at saturation level therein, carbonic acid at saturation level therein, fulvic acid therein, and aromatic compounds therein.
 3. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a heat exchanger in series with the exhaust duct for cooling the exhaust emissions prior to injecting the exhaust emissions into the solubilizing tank.
 4. The system according to claim 3 including a controller for operating the heat exchanger to vary a rate of cooling responsive to a sensed temperature of the exhaust emissions.
 5. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a cooling circuit communicating in a closed loop between the solubilizing tank and a cooling device for cooling the water in the solubilizing tank.
 6. The system according to claim 5 including a controller for operating the cooling circuit to vary a rate of cooling responsive to a sensed temperature of the water.
 7. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an exhaust inlet pipe on the solubilizing tank for communicating exhaust emissions from the exhaust duct into the solubilizing tank and a spray nozzle in the exhaust inlet pipe which communicates with the solubilizing tank for spraying water from the solubilizing tank into a flow of exhaust emissions entering the solubilizing tank through the exhaust inlet pipe.
 8. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a branch duct communicating between the exhaust duct and a combustion air intake of the engine such that a primary flow of the exhaust emissions is directed by the exhaust duct into the solubilizing tank and a secondary flow of the exhaust emissions is directed by the branch duct into the combustion air intake.
 9. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary water tank and a water control system arranged to transfer water between the auxiliary water tank and the solubilizing tank to maintain the water in the solubilizing tank at the operating level.
 10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the injection array comprises a manifold structure supported in the solubilizing tank below the operating water level, the manifold structure having a horizontally extending upper duct portion for communicating exhaust emissions therethrough along a bottom end of the solubilizing tank and a plurality of injection openings at horizontally spaced apart positions along the manifold structure below the upper duct portion for dispersing exhaust emissions into the solubilizing tank.
 11. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a partition member separating the tank into an injection portion receiving the injection array therein and a settling portion separate from the injection portion which communicates with the gas outlet, the partition member including at least one opening therein for communicating water and exhaust emissions from the injection portion to the settling portion.
 12. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an agricultural seeding implement having a distribution fan for pneumatically conveying seed through seed tubes for delivery into furrows in a ground surface, the distribution fan having an inlet in communication with the gas outlet on the solubilizing tank for directing said gas flow into the seed tubes.
 13. The system according to claim 12 further comprising a water separator in series with the gas outlet for removing liquid water from said gas flow prior to delivery to the distribution fan.
 14. The system according to claim 1 wherein the engine comprises a primary engine of a tractor and wherein the system further comprises an agricultural seeding implement towed by the tractor, the agricultural implement comprising: a plurality of furrowing elements for forming furrows in the ground; a plurality of seed distribution tubes for delivering seed to the furrowing elements respectively; a seed metering system for metering seed into the seed distribution tubes respectively; and a supply duct communicating between the gas outlet on the solubilizing tank and the seed distribution tubes such that a gas pressure for conveying seed through the seed distribution tubes to the furrowing elements is derived solely from exhaust pressure from the internal combustion engine which is communicated through the solubilizing tank.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an agricultural spraying implement for being driven across a crop covered ground by said internal combustion engine, the agricultural spraying implement including a boom supporting a plurality of spaced apart dispensing nozzles thereon and a supply duct communicating between the gas outlet of the solubilizing tank and the dispensing nozzles for dispensing said gas flow carrying the water and the solubilized carbon nano tubes onto said crop covered ground through the dispensing nozzles. 17.-20. (canceled)
 21. The system according to claim 1 wherein the engine comprises a primary engine of a passenger vehicle, the system further comprising an auxiliary tank containing an operating level of water therein and an auxiliary injection array supported in the auxiliary tank below the operating level of the auxiliary tank, the auxiliary injection array being in communication with the gas outlet of the solubilizing tank so as to be arranged to disperse the gas flow from the gas outlet into the water with the auxiliary tank.
 22. The system according to claim 1 wherein the engine comprises a pump engine of an irrigation pump in an irrigation system, the gas outlet of the solubilizing tank communicating with irrigation water of the irrigation system for delivery to the plant growing medium together with the irrigation water. 23.-25. (canceled)
 26. The system according to claim 1 wherein the engine comprises a mower engine for driving rotation of a mower blade on a lawn mower, the system further comprising an exhaust trap for being supported in trailing relationship along the ground relative to the mower and a supply duct communicating between the gas outlet of the solubilizer tank and the exhaust trap for dispensing exhaust beneath the exhaust trap.
 27. A method of recycling exhaust emissions comprising: providing an internal combustion engine and operating the engine so as to produce exhaust emissions containing carbon nano soot therein; providing a solubilizing tank containing an operating level of water including nitric acid in solution in the water; injecting the exhaust emissions containing carbon nano soot from the engine into the water within the solubilizing tank so as to solubilize the carbon nano soot as carbon nano tubes within the water in the solubilizing tank; and capturing a gas flow exiting the tank such that some water and some solubilized carbon nano tubes are carried with the gas flow for subsequent delivery to a plant growing medium. 28.-42. (canceled)
 43. An agricultural seeding implement for use with a tractor having an internal combustion engine, the implement comprising: a plurality of furrowing elements for forming furrows in the ground; a plurality of seed distribution tubes for delivering seed to the furrowing elements respectively; a seed metering system for metering seed into the seed distribution tubes respectively; and a supply duct for communicating exhaust emissions from the internal combustion engine to the seed distribution tubes such that a gas pressure for conveying seed through the seed distribution tubes to the furrowing elements is derived solely from exhaust pressure from the internal combustion engine which is communicated through the supply duct. 44.-45. (canceled) 